Grade: Grade 11 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Rhetorical Synthesis Lesson: 4 of 6 SAT: Craft+Structure ACT: Reading

Writing Application: Crafting Synthesis Essays

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This lesson focuses on applying synthesis skills to your own writing. Whether responding to an SAT prompt, crafting an ACT essay, or completing academic assignments, effective synthesis writing demonstrates your ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas clearly.

The Synthesis Essay Structure

A strong synthesis essay follows this structure:

Introduction (1 paragraph)

  • Hook that establishes the topic's relevance
  • Brief context about the sources or debate
  • Clear thesis that takes a position and previews your synthesis

Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs)

  • Topic sentence stating the paragraph's main point
  • Evidence from multiple sources, integrated smoothly
  • Analysis explaining how sources support your argument
  • Transitions connecting ideas within and between paragraphs

Conclusion (1 paragraph)

  • Restatement of thesis in fresh language
  • Synthesis of key points from body paragraphs
  • Broader implications or call to action

Integrating Sources Effectively

There are three main ways to incorporate source material:

Method When to Use Example
Direct Quote When exact wording matters or is particularly powerful Smith argues that "renewable energy is essential for survival."
Paraphrase When you need to explain complex ideas in simpler terms According to Smith, our continued existence depends on transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Summary When condensing a larger argument or multiple points Smith's research demonstrates the urgency of energy transition through economic, environmental, and health data.

Signal Phrases for Attribution

Use varied signal phrases to attribute ideas to sources:

  • Neutral: states, notes, observes, reports, explains
  • Agreement: confirms, supports, reinforces, validates
  • Disagreement: challenges, disputes, questions, contradicts
  • Argument: argues, claims, contends, asserts, maintains
  • Suggestion: suggests, implies, indicates, proposes

Synthesis vs. Summary

Summary (Weaker)

"Source A says X. Source B says Y. Source C says Z."

This simply reports what each source says without connecting ideas.

Synthesis (Stronger)

"While Source A and Source B both support X, they differ in their reasoning: A emphasizes economic factors whereas B focuses on social benefits. Source C complicates this consensus by introducing concerns about Y."

This shows relationships between sources and develops an analytical perspective.

Examples

Study these examples of effective synthesis writing.

Example 1: Synthesizing Agreeing Sources

Topic: Benefits of reading literature

Weak synthesis: "Johnson says reading improves empathy. Williams also says reading builds empathy."

Strong synthesis: "Both Johnson and Williams identify empathy as a key benefit of reading literature, though they approach this claim differently. While Johnson draws on psychological studies showing that readers better recognize emotions in others, Williams emphasizes the immersive experience of inhabiting different perspectives through narrative. Together, their research suggests that literature develops empathy through both cognitive and experiential pathways."

Example 2: Synthesizing Disagreeing Sources

Topic: Social media's impact on democracy

Weak synthesis: "Chen thinks social media helps democracy. Park thinks it hurts democracy."

Strong synthesis: "The debate over social media's democratic impact reveals tensions between access and quality. Chen celebrates how platforms enable citizen journalism and grassroots organizing, pointing to protest movements that gained momentum online. However, Park warns that these same platforms facilitate misinformation and polarization, potentially undermining informed civic participation. This disagreement suggests that social media's democratic potential depends largely on how platforms are designed and regulated."

Example 3: Sample Synthesis Paragraph

Topic: Urban transportation policy

"Effective urban transportation requires balancing multiple priorities that different experts emphasize. Thompson's research demonstrates that public transit reduces carbon emissions by 45% compared to single-occupancy vehicles, establishing environmental benefits as a crucial consideration. Meanwhile, Garcia's economic analysis shows that transit investment generates $4 in economic activity for every $1 spent, suggesting strong fiscal arguments for expansion. However, Martinez cautions that without equity-focused planning, transit improvements may primarily benefit affluent neighborhoods while underserved communities remain isolated. Synthesizing these perspectives, successful transportation policy must simultaneously address environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and equitable access rather than prioritizing any single goal."

Practice

Complete the following exercises to develop your synthesis writing skills.

Practice Set: Writing Synthesis Statements

1. Which thesis most effectively sets up a synthesis essay?

  1. Many experts have studied climate change.
  2. Climate change is definitely happening.
  3. While scientists agree on climate change's reality, debates over the best policy responses reveal important tensions between economic development and environmental protection.
  4. Source A and Source B discuss climate change.

2. Read this synthesis attempt: "Miller says exercise is good. Thompson agrees that exercise is good." How can this be improved?

  1. Add more sources that say exercise is good
  2. Explain how Miller and Thompson support their claims differently and what their combined evidence suggests
  3. Remove one of the sources to avoid repetition
  4. Change "good" to a more specific word

3. Which signal phrase best introduces a source that challenges another's claim?

  1. Similarly, Johnson notes...
  2. Johnson confirms...
  3. However, Johnson disputes this view, arguing...
  4. Johnson states...

4. What is the main difference between summarizing sources and synthesizing them?

  1. Synthesizing uses longer quotes
  2. Summarizing connects ideas while synthesizing reports them separately
  3. Synthesizing integrates sources to develop a new analytical perspective
  4. There is no meaningful difference

5. A body paragraph in a synthesis essay should:

  1. Focus on only one source to avoid confusion
  2. Include evidence from multiple sources organized around a central point
  3. Summarize each source in order without connecting them
  4. Avoid direct quotes entirely

6. Which sentence best transitions between sources with different perspectives?

  1. Another source says something different.
  2. While Chen emphasizes the benefits of this approach, Martinez raises important concerns about potential drawbacks.
  3. Martinez disagrees.
  4. The next source is by Martinez.

7. When should you use a direct quote rather than a paraphrase?

  1. Always, because quotes are more accurate
  2. Never, because paraphrases are always clearer
  3. When the original wording is particularly powerful or precise
  4. Only in the introduction

8. A strong synthesis essay conclusion should:

  1. Introduce new sources not discussed in the body
  2. Simply repeat the introduction word-for-word
  3. Synthesize key points and explore broader implications
  4. Admit that no conclusion can be drawn from the sources

9. Which approach best handles sources that partially agree?

  1. Ignore the differences and present them as if they fully agree
  2. Present them as if they completely disagree
  3. Acknowledge shared ground while explaining important distinctions
  4. Only discuss the points where they agree

10. In synthesis writing, your own voice should:

  1. Be absent entirely; only quote sources
  2. Guide the reader through your analysis and interpretation of sources
  3. Express personal opinions unrelated to the sources
  4. Appear only in the conclusion

Check Your Understanding

Verify your mastery of these synthesis writing concepts.

Can you:

  • Write a thesis that sets up synthesis rather than simple summary?
  • Integrate multiple sources within body paragraphs?
  • Use varied signal phrases appropriate to source relationships?
  • Choose effectively between quotes, paraphrases, and summaries?
  • Transition smoothly between agreeing and disagreeing sources?
  • Maintain your analytical voice while incorporating source material?

Practice Answers

1. C | 2. B | 3. C | 4. C | 5. B | 6. B | 7. C | 8. C | 9. C | 10. B

Next Steps

  • Practice writing synthesis paragraphs using sources from your other classes
  • Review SAT and ACT essay prompts and plan synthesis responses
  • Continue to the next lesson: Editing Workshop